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Related: About this forumThe End of Discriminatory Policing in Ferguson?
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http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2016/03/ferguson-discriminatory-policing/473982/
The Ferguson, Missouri, City Council reversed its previous position and voted Tuesday night to accept the changes to its courts and police departments that were recommended by the U.S. Justice Department in the wake of the killing of Michael Brown, an unarmed black 18-year-old, by a police officer.
The council voted unanimously, 6-to-0, to accept the Justice Departments changes, and likely spared itself from an expensive legal battle.
Under the Justice Departments recommendations, officers would take a diversity-training course and would be trained to first de-escalate a situation. Additionally, the city would buy software and hire staff to review arrest data to prevent discrimination, and all supervisors and officers would be fitted with body cameras within 180 days. The arrangement would also require Ferguson to hire an independent monitor to ensure the city lives up to the agreement.
After Browns death, the government released a report that found Fergusons officers regularly and unconstitutionally stopped and searched blacks in the community. It also found the courts used officers as a way to generate revenue through constant harassment and unnecessary fines.
These violations were not only egregious, they were routine. They were encouraged by the city in the interest of raising revenue," Attorney General Loretta Lynch said in February. "They were driven, at least in part, by racial bias and they occurred disproportionately against African American residents of Ferguson.
The Justice Department outlined a list of adjustments and changes Ferguson needed to make, but the city voted against them in February, citing, in part, costs. The citys finance director estimated that complying with the agreement could cost nearly $7 million. The Justice Department responded with a lawsuit, saying the citys officers engaged in discriminatory policing, unconstitutional stops, searches and arrests, and the use of unreasonable force.
Tuesdays agreement still needs approval from a judge, but the Justice Department is expected to drop its lawsuit against the city.
Kind of Blue
(8,709 posts)And thanks to Ms. Lynch who pressed on with the suit. She did exactly as she promised. I hope she remains in her position with our new Democratic president next year.
Jackie Wilson Said
(4,176 posts)I wish the entire democratic community or liberal community would pay attention to the accomplishments of President Obama and of those he surrounds himself with.
I always hear about the Wall Street guy who got this or that appointment, and I am never happy when I hear it, but I rarely hear when he or his people do any of the hundreds of great things they do ALL the time!
Kind of Blue
(8,709 posts)She has been working, including a year-long study that exasperated me, on the most fundamental of human rights - to exist without harm, especially from the police. I mean, Lynch reached out to so many groups studying law enforcement, even I think a Harvard study proving that many police departments are public health hazards. I was surprised when Ferguson bucked her decision based on all her arsenal. It may be a quiet victory but I have no doubt other PDs clearly see what they're up against.
Jackie Wilson Said
(4,176 posts)If you knew nothing of the case and this show was your education, you would think the DA's and police were perfect, wonderful, entirely honest people and OJ and his team were all slime.
Now, I happen to believe two things about that trial:
1. OJ is or was guilty
2. The correct verdict was reached in that given the evidence about the blood and the racist cop etc., it was correct that he not be found guilty
But the rewrite of history about the LAPD and those DA folks is something to behold.
Kind of Blue
(8,709 posts)because I had the chance to watch every bit of it live back in the day.
I agree 100% with everything you've said. We will never know whether OJ is guilty or not because the prosecution - from the attorneys to the labs - blew it over and over again. Jeeze, I couldn't believe police could have the odacity to store evidence in their homes. Good Lord, what a mess for all to see!
Honestly, I thought he was guilty. But on the first day of trial, when the lead attorney had a heart attack when Johnny Cochran stepped in and refuted all of their evidence, I was freaking hooked!
Jackie Wilson Said
(4,176 posts)Not funny, I guess.
It really is remarkable to see the way the DA people and LAPD are being played vs the other side, quite sickening.
Kind of Blue
(8,709 posts)I couldn't tell whether the attack was coincidence or whether being challenged was a shock his heart could not withstand.
Sickening depiction, I expected as much and surprised they didn't rush to make this series years ago. I guess the shock of the verdict has worn off.
Thanks for the review. For the time being, I'm gonna stick with I saw and heard during that marathon of a trial.
Uponthegears
(1,499 posts)with anything less than an indictment
BUT
There is a breadth to this agreement that I believe actually will help. Petty offenses (and even non-offenses) have long been used to justify police contact with residents of impacted communities. Police contacts, even causal contacts, are in turn opportunities both to "remind" residents of their relative lack of power (freedom, etc.) and to create additional opportunities for an even greater degree of intrusion and subjugation.
Looking at this agreement, it seems to at least acknowledge a little bit what is going on.
Baby steps, but steps.
Starry Messenger
(32,342 posts)We need thousands more of these findings, but this is a start.
Coolest Ranger
(2,034 posts)but I like to see those officers who have a bone against those of us of color off the force.